Review

Rating: Unrated

Editorial Reviews

Midwest Book Review
It’s hard to find technical details on this subject: locksmiths are relatively close-mouthed about the craft of their trade. Laypeople to professionals will thus find this a winning reference: it covers all types of locks and keys from old-fashioned to modern electromagnetic locks and vending machines, providing the basics of locksmithing and different system operations. –This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Book Description
Whether you want to learn lockpicking or locksmithing, or choose locks that are virtually impossible to defeat, this classic will meet your needs. The top reference in the field since 1976, this book is perfect for everyone from beginners who want to master techniques step by illustrated step, to pros who need an up-to-date, comprehensive shop manual.

The Sixth Edition features:
• Complete, illustrated coverage from a master locksmith.
• Techniques and tips for lockpicking and fixing.
• Safe opening and servicing techniques.
• Coverage of electronic and high-security mechanical locks.
• Auto lock opening and servicing how-tos.
• An all-new Registered Locksmith test.
• How to conduct a home security survey
• How to start and run a locksmithing business, or get hired as a locksmith.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Great book for an intro to locksmithing and professional use, May 2, 2000
By Alan T. Peto (Las Vegas, NV USA)

This review is from: The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing (Paperback)
This is a great ‘catch-all’ book about locksmithing. Although it looks like it is designed for beginners, it still has invaluable information on a variety of locks, etc so it will remain in your shop for years to come. In fact, I used it for servicing an Ilco-Unican 1000 unit (as it had detailed information on changing the combination for example).

It covers everything from the history of locks (interesting in it’s own fact) and even has a practice test for the CRL examination (what you will want to get if you are wanting to be a pro in the field).

The book is also invaluable to homeowners, retail sales clerks and anyone who wants to know more about locks, safes, and more! If you are looking into security for your home, then this would give you a good understanding of why a certain lock system is better than another for example.

Either way you will not be disappointed in this book. For professionals some parts may be old story but it still has plenty of reference to locks you may not encounter for a while!

Fifth edition continues a tradition of excellence, December 5, 2001
By Hans Conkel (Grand Canyon, AZ)

This review is from: The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing (Paperback)
I have all five editions of this book, which dates back at least to 1976 when Tab books was printing them and Carl Roper was the author. I use them as reference materials fairly often when working on locks I’m unfamiliar with. As the years went by, this book was modernized and updated, and some of the older stuff has been cleaned out.

This is the most complete and professional book of locksmithing on the general market, and is an excellent value for people who work on locks. Compared to the restricted market books, Bill Phillips has outdone most of them in presentation and execution of materials. There are no spelling errors or grammatical mistakes, the information is accurate, and it covers an exhaustive number of subjects in the field of locksmithing. If you have an interest in learning a great deal about how different locks are put together, what their applications are, and how to install and service them, you should definitely get this book. If you are studying for a certification test, it is probably the best single purchase you can make for the money. Many individual subjects are not covered in as much depth as is necessary for real satisfaction, but since this book is an overview of the entire field, that is fine. There is plenty of information on rekeying various brands of locks, as well as overviews of installation and adjustment procedures. Although some people complain about this being merely a rehash of manufacturers instructions, it is incredibly convenient to have a reference like this around. If you are servicing an old lock that has been on a door for years, such a set of instructions is a handy thing.

I like what Bill Phillips has done with the book. It is more polished and more practical than the older versions, and it is great to see it stay current with technology. My own book in comparison is quite small, although it covers practical lock opening procedures more thoroughly than “The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing” does. People who just want to know how to open locks will find Mr. Phillips book very boring. People who install and service them will find it quite valuable, and will be grateful that it is such a well-crafted book.

Not for beginners or the curious, September 30, 2002
By Paul Reece “hprcnn” (Marietta, GA United States)

This review is from: The Complete Book of Locks and Locksmithing (Paperback)
I’m not sure just how this book earned such high praise from supposedly learned people. Or perhaps that’s the problem: they already know enough about locks and locksmithing to have no need for the basic information that is so severely lacking in this volume.
As an example, the chapter on automobile locks doesn’t offer even a single picture or schematic view of how the rods and linkages of an automobile door lock might be configured behind all that outer metal and inner upholstery. There are two closeup views of specific mechanical devices that might (or might not) be part of a typical door lock, but we have no idea where or how they might (or might not) fit into the overall mechanism. And unless you already know what a “bellcrank” is and how it’s used, the picture is meaningless. Moreover the supposedly helpful “exploded” view of a car door lists more than 20 specifically numbered door components and then places those reference numbers in the view for only a half dozen easily reconizable items such as the “armrest.” Wow! That’s enlightening.
At one point the text mentions that you might be able to open a locked car door by “removing the rear view mirror.” and there is zero elaboration.

This sort of shallow and superficial coverage of important topics permeates the text. It might ring with clever insight to an experienced locksmith who has encountered the situation alluded to, but it’s meaningless to the layman. Likewise, many of the illustrations are of no value to anyone unititiated to the obscure craft of locksmithing.
If your interested in a Britannica treatise on the history of Phoenecian tomb locks. This the book for you. If you just want some introductory hints and skill you can use around the house, forget it.